Sustainability is key to creating environmentally friendly tyres

At Asda Tyres, we speak with hundreds of UK motorists every day, up and down the country, offering tyre advice and the best tyre fitting solutions for their cars. But we’re also being asked about the sustainability of tyres, including their future development, environmentally friendly tyre technology, the manufacturers who create them, and tyre recycling.

It’s something that we – as a leading tyre provider – have given much thought to, and take very seriously. This is also true of premium tyre manufacturer, Continental, who are at the forefront of sustainable tyre development. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, since for more than 140 years they’ve been leading the way with cutting-edge tyre technology. Did you know that Continental first introduced the idea of tyre treads – vital for providing grip in wet weather conditions?

It’s not surprising that Continental are driving the development of sustainable tyres. They’re focused on the global conservation of resources (like rubber) and improving the fuel economy that tyres can deliver (and the subsequent reduction of CO2 emissions). And they’re looking to achieve this without compromising safety and performance.

The development of alternative materials to traditional rubber is key

Continental employ many of the world’s leading experts, across a diverse range of fields and specialisations, in their laboratories around the globe, in the quest to develop alternative materials for the construction of sustainable tyres. This focus on research and development, materials testing, and manufacturing processes will ultimately lead to Continental’s Tyre of the Future.

The aim is to create significantly more eco-friendly, energy-efficient, sustainable tyres. This process will examine the materials sourcing, transporting, and manufacturing processes, as well as the driver usage and recycling phases of the tyre life cycle.

Continental experts, like Dr. Fred Waldner, are experimenting with alternative compounds. His laboratory specialises in the mixing and testing of alternatives to traditionally sourced rubber, and this has lead to some very interesting – and promising – ideas.

Dr. Fred Waldner experimenting with alternative compounds

“Every year, several thousand samples are produced here, drawing on more than 1,500 different materials.”

“You can’t replace all of the natural rubber in a tyre with synthetic rubber. The technical advantages and unique properties of the natural product are simply too important. Apply heat to natural rubber and it can be shaped; when it cools down it remains elastic, can be stretched, and will then return to its original shape. The rubber made from this natural product can be elastic or energy absorbing, depending on the composition of the material.”

A very promising alternative to natural rubber that has the potential to become mainstream is dandelion latex. Originally mixed in Dr. Waldner’s lab, and developed in conjunction with the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), the dandelion rubber initiative has already won the highly coveted Greentec Award.

Initiatives like this will help to reduce the need for rubber trees, and the global deforestation that can be attributed to the need to grow rubber. And in its place, sustainable dandelion plantations – located beside the tyre plants themselves – could become the norm.

Making tyres from dandelions

How do you make tyres from dandelions?

The aim is to use the natural latex obtained from the roots of the dandelion, instead of the natural latex currently harvested from rubber tree plantations. These proposed ‘plantations beside the tyre plants’ can be grown on land that is traditionally unsuitable for food crops. This model makes both economic and ecological sense in Central Europe, with reduced transportation requirements inevitably leading to a need for less fuel, and less CO2 emissions.

As well as environmental benefits, their may be commerical ones for UK motorists too. The introduction of a more manageable, sustainable alternative material could mean that Continental are insulated from the often volatile prices experienced on the global rubber market.

A rise in demand for rubber often results in cost increases for this commodity, and this typically hits us all in the pocket. Dandelion rubber could minimise this financial spike, since as much as 30% of the rubber currently needed to manufacture car tyres is sourced from the natural rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis.

Recycling your tyres will make a positive contribution to sustainability

As a car owner, or driver, you too can contribute positively to the challenges facing the environment, such as by recycling your old tyres. Since 2006, the EU Landfill Directive has made it illegal to dump end-of-life tyres within traditional landfill sites. Tyres now need to be either recycled, or reused in an appropriate way.

Recycling tyres is actually very difficult. Tyres are made of varying amounts of steel, rubber and textile, so difficult to seperate – but not impossible. First, the tyres are granulated. This ensures that the different materials can be successfully retrieved. Then the tyre granules are shredded into ‘rubber crumb’. This core material can then be put to many good uses, including:

– Carpet underlays

– Sports surfaces, running tracks and pitches

– Equestrian training surfaces and arenas

– Children’s playground safety mats

– Drainage systems

– Roof tiles

– Rubberised asphalt road surfaces

You can go online, quickly search for “tyre collection and recycling service”, and have no problem finding tyre recycling options in your area. But if instead you buy your new tyres from Asda Tyres, we will recycle your old tyres for you.

Continental tyre EU tyre label

Low rolling resistance tyres reduce your fuel spend and emissions

Continental have developed a range of tyres that offer low rolling resistance. These help to reduce your fuel consumption, and that means smaller fuel bills. Your CO2 emissions will be lower too. Continental are determined to contribute to the sustainability of tyres, and at the same time provide British motorists a chance to both do their bit for the environment, and save money. That’s win-win, right?! Their highly regarded ContiEcoContact™ 5 offers optimised rolling resistance, and high braking safety on wet roads, and is very popular with UK drivers.

Talk to Asda Tyres for impartial, expert advice

Our dedicated tyre professionals can provide you with experienced, impartial tyre advice, as well as the best tyre fitting solutions. Click here to live chat to one of our experts, or find your nearest fitting station.

You may also like